What this checklist covers
The Dealer Launch Readiness Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for pre-launch inspection, stock, staff, marketing, branding, and soft-launch approval. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on what the auditor sees on the day, and every gap goes into an action plan with an owner and a close date.
AutoSmart tip: Launch readiness audits should be sequenced: facility, stock, and staff readiness must be confirmed Green before marketing and soft-launch activities begin. Approving a launch date based on marketing readiness alone, while facility or staff gaps remain open, is the most common cause of a rocky opening.
The checks
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Pre-launch inspection and branding
- Has a full pre-launch facility inspection been completed, confirming showroom and workshop areas meet brand standards?
- Is all required exterior and interior branding (signage, POSM, corporate identity elements) fully installed and approved?
- Are customer-facing areas (lounge, reception, restrooms) fully furnished, clean, and ready for customer use?
- Have any findings from the pre-launch facility inspection been closed out before the planned launch date?
Stock and staff readiness
- Is opening vehicle stock confirmed as delivered, registered (where applicable), and ready for display or sale?
- Is opening parts inventory stocked according to the agreed stocking plan, with bin locations assigned?
- Are all key roles (sales, service, parts, finance) staffed and confirmed as trained ahead of the launch date?
- Have staff completed a dry-run or simulation of core customer journeys (enquiry, test drive, service booking) before go-live?
Marketing support and system access
- Is the launch marketing plan (local activation, digital presence, signage) confirmed as ready for the planned launch date?
- Is the dealership listed correctly on the OEM/brand website and any relevant locator tools ahead of launch?
- Do all staff have working system access (DMS, CRM, email) confirmed and tested before launch?
Soft-launch and approval
- Has a soft-launch period been planned and executed, allowing the team to operate before full public launch?
- Have issues identified during the soft-launch period been logged and resolved before the official launch date?
- Has formal launch sign-off been obtained from all required stakeholders (OEM/distributor, regional management, dealer principal)?
- Is a post-launch review scheduled (e.g., 30/60/90 days) to assess performance against the launch plan?
How to run it
How the scoring works
Before the visit, fill in the dealer or centre, the auditor, the date and the audit cycle. Then score each of the 15 checks from 1 to 5 on what you see on the day, not on what the dealer or centre aims for, and add them up out of 75.
- 1 Not in place
- 2 Attempted
- 3 Defined
- 4 Managed
- 5 Fully sustained
- Green 60–75 · 80–100% Compliant. Keep the standard.
- Amber 38–59 · 50–79% Improvement needed: a structured action plan within 30 days.
- Red 0–37 · Below 50% Priority intervention, escalated to regional management.
Then close every gap
Each gap goes into the action plan tracker and moves through four stages until the auditor closes it.
- 1 Pending Person in charge and close date set
- 2 In progress Work under way, evidence gathered
- 3 Completed Evidence submitted for review
- 4 Approved Verified and closed by the auditor
